Kent County, Rhode Island Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · RI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Kent County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.4, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kent County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 69.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 1.39 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 170K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kent County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Kent County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 8 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2024.
Among 5 Rhode Island counties, Kent County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.39 / yr | $23M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.90 / yr | $233K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.51 / yr | $870K |
| Lightning | Medium | 21.71 / yr | $471K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.76 / yr | $533K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.69 / yr | $87K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.20 / yr | $574K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $830 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.04 / yr | $931K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.03 / yr | $721K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.42 / yr | $11K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.77 / yr | $9K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kent County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kent County?
Kent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $23M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kent County compare to other Rhode Island counties?
Kent County ranks #2 of 5 Rhode Island counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kent County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Kent County since 1978, most often 8 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in March 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Kent County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.